Transforming Lives: stepping up!

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

Truth is ladies, we cannot transform lives; only the Spirit can. As promised, Jesus sent the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17) to His bewildered band of followers at Pentecost, resulting in 3000 plus conversions that day (Acts 2:41). The spiritual regeneration of Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) was astonishing. We read of many others living by the Spirit from the moment of their transformation. Apparently though, the Galatians had started along that path but were now out of step with Him. 

Paul beckons them, and us, into God’s vineyard for a lesson on the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus introduced the vineyard analogy to His disciples the evening of His arrest, most likely as they walked from the Upper Room to Gethsemane through the rows of grape vines in the Kidron Valley. Can’t you just see Him, plucking a ripe grape: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

And so it is. Spiritual sap flows from the source (Jesus/His Spirit), through you (the branches) to produce the character of Christ in you. Ripening is a slow, internal process eventually revealing Jesus on you. You cannot hang fruit on your branches. The Spirit alone makes it happen. Your job is to remain in constant contact with the Spirit.  

Are there nine fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23, or is it the singular fruit of agape love, manifesting itself in nine ways? Regardless, the fruit you bear reveals Christ forming in you in a manner unique to you.  

Oswald Chambers is tracking with Paul (2 Corinthians 3:18): 

“When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character.” 

—My Utmost for His Highest Updated, January 23

Let us then keep in step with the Spirit as He leads us to transform lives with the truth of Jesus. 

Nancy P